Technical Papers, Land Use Audits and Supporting Documents

Technical papers

These documents provide background information and an evidence base to policies and strategies contained in the Plan.

Some technical papers are studies  undertaken whilst others provide an explanation as to how boundaries such as regional scenic areas have been drawn. Some technical papers also provide more of an explanation to a strategy contained in the Plan.

• Housing Land Requirement Technical Paper [PDF - 1MB]
• Retail Study Technical Paper [PDF - 1MB]
• Retail Study Technical Paper Supplement - Additional Convenience Floor Space [PDF - 957KB]
• Employment and Property Land Study Technical Paper [PDF - 1MB]
• Regional Scenic Areas technical paper [PDF - 12MB]
• Local Nature Conservation Sites Technical Paper [PDF - 749KB]
• Settlement Hierarchy Technical Paper [PDF - 440KB]
• Archaeological Sensitive Areas (ASAs) Technical Paper [PDF - 4MB]
• Conservation Areas Technical Paper [PDF - 2MB]
• Masterplans: A Guide for Developers Technical Paper [PDF - 601KB]
• Conservation Area Review [PDF - 32MB]
• Housing Need and Demand Assessment 2 [PDF - 2MB]

Land Use Audits

The Council has to make sure that there is land available across the region for developers to build houses. This is so that the demand for housing in the region can be met for at least the next 5 years. It is a requirement of Scottish Planning Policy.

Audits are produced each year and will enable us to identify trends. The region is divided into 'Housing Market Areas' - Annan, Dumfries, Eskdale, Mid Galloway, Stewartry and Stranraer.

2022 Housing Land Audit

The audit provides a comprehensive description of all current sites for housing in Dumfries & Galloway at 31st March 2023.

• Housing Land Audit at March 2022 [PDF - 4MB]
• Housing Land Audit at March 2022 Appendix [PDF - 481KB]

Available capacity at water and waste water treatment works an be found using Scottish Water's online Asset Capacity Search tool .

2022 Business and Industry Land Audit

It is also important to have up-to-date and accurate information on the supply and availability of business and industrial land in Dumfries and Galloway.

This is done by monitoring whether sites allocated in the plan have been developed and by assessing the availability of sites that haven't been developed. The audit provides a comprehensive assessment at 31 March 2023.

• 2022 Business and Industry Land Audit [PDF - 1MB]

Supporting Documents

Monitoring Statement

The Monitoring Statement focuses on the impacts the adopted Local Development Plan (LDP) has had on the area and whether the spatial strategy and policy objectives have been realised.

• Monitoring Statement [PDF - 816KB]

State of the Environment Report

The State of the Environment Report considers the range of environmental aspects of the regions environment, including social economic factors.

• State of the Environment Report [PDF - 4MB]

Vacant and Derelict Land Survey

Vacant and derelict land and property can blight communities, harm wellbeing, and limit opportunities. The Council's Local Development Plan and Strategic Housing Investment Plan focuses on tackling vacant and derelict sites and prioritising brownfield land.  The Council completes an annual survey of the extent and state of Vacant and Derelict Land in Dumfries and Galloway to report to the Scottish Government.  The latest version of the report along with more information on the Council's approach to tackling vacant and derelict land can be viewed here- Vacant and Derelict Land - Dumfries and Galloway Council (dumgal.gov.uk)

Local Biodiversity Action Plan 

The Local Biodiversity Action Plan is to be used to take positive steps to conserve and enhance biodiversity throughout Dumfries and Galloway. 

• Download the Local Biodiversity Action Plan [PDF - 10MB]

This webpage will be kept under review